Letter of the Month: Nursing home residents deserve love, compassion

Why is it so hard for people to visit someone in a nursing home? What is it that is so repugnant that a person seems so much better than those who have had to be transitioned to a different lifestyle not of their own choosing, but one of necessity?

To family, friends, churches: What are you doing to improve their lives? It is a rewarding experience to visit those in a nursing home facility.

Having a family member there can change your whole outlook in life, that is, if you really love and care for them. As much as I respect the church and its fellowship, I can no longer sit in church knowing there is no kind of worship going on where people reside in the nursing home facility on Sunday. I can only say “Where are those who really care and where is the love of God found?’”

James 1:27 — “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

So many of the residents can’t attend church, but we can take church to them. They relate to music and sing along or close their eyes and listen.

Most residents are lonely and have no one to share their concerns with. Romans 12:13 states we can “contribute to the needs of the saints” and we can be “the one who does acts of mercy” (Romans 12:8).

What are we doing about it? Have you ever thought that one day we could be in the same situation? These people need attention. A simple visit of your time to walk with, talk with or share a meal with residents will help their lonely hearts and brighten their day.

These people have given us much and can still teach us many things if we will listen. They deserve our attention. Reach out to them and let them know we still care and have not forgotten them.

Mary J. Scott

Elm City

Editor’s Note: This letter was originally published on Oct. 9 and is the month of October’s nominee for the Elizabeth Swindell Award for local commentary. Swindell Award winners and monthly nominees are selected by the Times and republished to note the recognition.